The summer holidays can seem like an endless affair of snacks, entertaining and ferrying around, but September soon comes around which can mean only one thing; it’s back to school.
Usually, they have grown a few inches and their old shoes are scuffed to bits so a new kit is in order. But there is some good news on the horizon as currently there are lots of deals and sales to take advantage of.
From best shirts to pencil cases, we’ve curated our favourite back-to-school kits to make finding the best bargains that little bit easier.
From Marks and Spencer to Ryman essentials, back to school never looked so good.
Bags
The all-essential school bag is an important addition to any little one’s back-to-school kit.
The older they get the more they will probably prefer to pick their own colour and style but if you need a standout bag then a great starting point is this Monsters-inspired school bag from John Lewis, which has handily just been slashed to half price.
It’s the perfect size for a primary-aged child and one fan describes it as, ‘a very cute pattern, and the bag is just large enough to fit spare clothes, sleeping bag and supplies without being too bulky.’
Cath Kidston also has some stunning print bags that are reduced, some all the way down to half price, with a bold array of prints to choose from.
For a classic look that will go with their school uniform, then the unisex navy Tommy Hilfiger is perfect for a quality durable book bag (that with a bit of luck will last the school year and is also now half price at £32).
Pencil Cases
A pencil case is perfect for keeping all children’s pens, pencils erasers (and a few secret notes in) and most have a zip-up side which is washable or wipe clean.
The most famous and widely used pencil case is the Smiggle which is known for its eye-catching designs and durable shape which kids love. They are very rarely on sale – but drum roll- this year there are a select few with 30% off. The ice cream hardtop is now £6.30 and the Smiggle Illusion is even cheaper at £4.20.
If you want a bargain that also looks VERY stylish then this swirl patterned one from The Works is only £2 and for animal print fans this Pen & Gear case from Asda follows closely behind at £3.
Pen set
Imagine having a pen set that contains all the best bits that they’ll need for all their lessons. Well, look no further than the Helix Oxford set. It currently has 29% off and contains pens, pencils, maths set, ruler, eraser and compass, making it much cheaper than buying everything separately. Plus, if they lost any of it they’ll always have extras as backup.
Notebooks
So many notebooks, so little time. There’s every chance your children will go through more than one notebook this school year but for a bit of fun and adventure, Rymans has a great selection all currently at £3.99. We love this Gamer one as well as the Magic and Sparkle set.
Laptop for older kids
When they’ve outgrown the notebooks and advanced in their studies the next step will be moving online to their first laptop. With the dizzying array available (not to mention the price!) it can be a real investment to buy them their first laptop.
If you’re looking for a quality laptop that performs well, then Acer is a great budget option.
This one at Curry’s is currently reduced to £199, which will be sure to help save a few pounds when it comes to purchasing. It has an HD screen with blue light shield technology and weighs just 1.45kg – so is perfect for taking away to do work too. No excuses now!
Lunch box
Even if your kids have school dinners, chances are there will be times they will need to take a packed lunch away on trips or for snacks. So a lunchbox is always a good idea as well as a water bottle to keep them nicely hydrated throughout the day. It’s also a useful way to save money on buying drinks when out and about.
We found the best-priced ones are all at Asda, where for £6 can get you a lunchbox and £3 for a matching bottle, which you can buy separately.
Plus they do them in many fun characters perfect for your little one including Pokemon, George Unicorns, Marvel, Heart set, and Minecraft.
Shoes
Picking school shoes may seem a pretty simple task but finding quality durable footwear (that also looks pretty stylish) can prove tricky.
While a bargain never goes out of fashion, it’s important to find a shoe that doesn’t scuff easily, will last the school season and is waterproof too.
Little Trekkers currently have a sale on their footwear and these Buddy Vega school shoes are down to £20, but if you want some all-weather pure leather shoes then you can’t beat M&S, which has these for under £30.
For bottom bargain prices, then Asda does a selection of school shoes starting from just £16, and for plimsolls for P.E, then Clarks do a plain black quality velcro fasten pair for £10.
Tip. If you see any in the sale that are a real bargain, buy the size above so you have a pair extra for when their feet grow.
School uniform
A classic school uniform needs to tick quite a few boxes and it nearly always starts with the shirt.
Ultimately 100% cotton is the best quality, particularly if you will need to be doing frequent deep cleaning for any stains and spills that may occur!
Marks and Spencer do short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts which both come in 100% cotton.
For bargain cardigans and jumpers that come in two packs or more then it has to be Sainsbury’s which starts at £5.
They even do this handy measuring chart for boys and girls so you can ensure you’ll get the right fit for all their essential uniforms.
Scooter
Did you know the average school run in the UK is 2.5 miles and the majority of families make this journey in the car, taking around five minutes each way? This journey equates to a 50-minute walk or a 15-minute scoot each day.
Scooting to school is proven to be great for health, as well as a good impact on the environment and children’s physical development, so it makes sense to add to their back-to-school kit (plus it helps if they have a tendency to walk on the slow side).
Your Daily Horoscope
Micro Scooters have a vast array of styles and colours for various ages, and currently have a sale- some of their scooters have £23 off!
MORE : Finance expert shares savvy tips to save ‘thousands’ for your kids
MORE : I’m 21 and already having to think about having kids because of my endometriosis
This article contains affiliate links. We will earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
Sign up to our guide to what’s on in London, trusted reviews, brilliant offers and competitions. London’s best bits in your inbox
Share this with